For those with a sensitive mouse, you will find that everytime you scroll your mouse wheel too fast (which translate into a middle click), it will paste the previous copied content to your text editor, documents or any other input text field, without your knowledge. For writers, developers or anyone working on a written project, this is very frustrating.

As this is a system level feature, there are no easy ways to disable the mouse middle click to paste feature, but there are some workarounds/hacks that we can use.

Remapping the mouse middle-click function

One of the hack is to remap the mouse middle click button to other commands, like left or right click. This will effectively kill the middle-click to paste feature. However, this will also disable all middle click functions, so you won’t be able to middle click a folder to open in new tab in Nautilus, open new links or close a open tab.

1. Open a text editor and add the following text:

pointer = 1 6 3 4 5 2

and save the file as “.Xmodmap” (without the quote) in your home folder.

Log out of your session and login again. Your mouse middle click will not be functional now.

Disable middle click to paste in Firefox

If you are mainly working in the Firefox browser, you can deactivate the middle click to paste feature without losing your mouse middle click functionality.

On the URL bar, type “about:config“, press Enter and click the “I’ll be careful, I promise” button.

select for “middlemouse.paste“. Double click on it to change the value from “true” to “false”.

Disable middle click to paste in Chrome

Unlike Firefox, there is no configuration options to turn disable the middle-click to paste feature. However, you can install the Autoscroll extension to remap the middle mouse button to autoscroll instead.

For Hardcore users: Patching the gtk source file

This particular hack involves patching the gtk source file and is meant for those experienced Linux users who know what they are doing. You will need to install a whole bunch of files and compiler code.

The following instruction was adapted from Assembla and modified to work for Gtk 3.0.

Open a terminal and type the following:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get upgrade

Next, grab the necessary files for compiling the code:

sudo apt-get build-dep gtk+3.0
sudo apt-get install build-essential

Download the patch file

mkdir /tmp/gtk
cd /tmp/gtk
wget http://subversion.assembla.com/svn/slipstream/patches/gtk_disable_middle_mouse_button_paste.patch

Now, we are going to grab the gtk 3.0 source code

apt-get source libgtk-3-0
cd gtk+3.0-3.2.0

Apply the patch:

patch -p1 < /tmp/gtk/gtk_disable_middle_mouse_button_paste.patch

Recompile the source code:

sudo apt-get install cdbs 
sudo dpkg-buildpackage -uc -us

Install the patched file:

sudo dpkg -i ../libgtk-3-0_3.2.0-0ubuntu6_i386.deb

The code above is meant for gtk 3.2.0. If your gtk version is different, change the version number above.

That’s it. Log out and login again. The mouse middle-click to paste feature should be disabled now.

Note:
1. It is possible that any future update of the gtk code will override the changes. You might need to re-apply the patch again to disable the middle-click to paste.

2. This patch doesn’t disable the middle-click to paste feature in Firefox. You still need to manually disable it in the about:config (see above).

3. I have tried this on Ubuntu Oneiric and it worked. I have not tried it on Ubuntu Precise (12.04).

Using xsel to paste empty content

This is another hack by Marco Ceppi. Rather than disabling the mouse middle-click to paste feature, it uses “xsel” to paste empty content when the middle button is clicked.

Here is the hack. First, install xsel:

sudo apt-get install xsel

Download this hack file and place it in your home folder.

Make it executable (Right-click -> Properties -> Permissions -> Allow executing file as program).

Create a new entry in the startup applications and add the following:

sh disable-middle-click-paste.sh

Note: This script will run an endless loop to detect mouse middle click and empty the copied content.

That’s it.

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• Surfing The Web Without a Mouse [Linux]
• Clipper: A Powerful Clipboard Manager For Android
• Qjoypad: Keyboard to Gamepad Mapping for Linux
• How to Use KDE’s Clipboard and Klipper App

Clipper is a powerful clipboard manager for Android. There are two main things that it could do: manage your clipboard content and create your own snippet text for quick retrieval. Let’s take a detail look.

1. Download the Clipper app from the Android market.

2. Once you have installed the app, you will see an icon at your notification bar. Tap on it to open the app.

3. You should see two tabs: Clipboard and Snippets. The Clipboard tab shows your clipboard history. You tap on any of the entry and it will become the active item ready to be pasted.

You can also sort your clipboard items by position, date, title, contents, or copy count.

4. The Snippets tab is where you save snippets of text, like your email signature or any other repetitive text, so you can retrieve and use it quickly. It saves you time from typing the same things over and over again.

To create a new snippet, simply press the Menu button and select “New”.

In the Pro version, you can even add dynamic time and date as the snippet. It also supports word substitution, like type “MTE” to get “http://maketecheasier.com“.

6. Lastly, Clipper also supports Import/Export function. You can easily export your clipboard item to your SD card and import them to another Android phone running Clipper. This is particularly useful if you always wipe your phone to try out new ROMs.

In short, Clipper is the perfect app to manage your clipboard in Android. The free version only stores 20 clipboard items and 5 snippets. It doesn’t come with ads though, and that is a good thing. The pro version costs $0.99 and allows unlimited clipboard items and snippets and more options when configuring your snippets.

Clipper (market link)

Related Posts:

• How to Disable Mouse Middle Click to Paste Feature in Linux
• How to Use KDE’s Clipboard and Klipper App
• Five Free Clipboard Managers for Windows
• How To Perform Copy/Paste Function In iPhone

KDE has an advanced clipboard system, largely due to a small program called Klipper, which can store more than one piece of data. KDE also has the ability to copy and move files with copying and pasting, and automatic creation of files using clipboard data.

1. The Basics

KDE’s clipboard allows for cross-application copying, cutting, and pasting. For example, you can copy a URL in Konqueror and easily paste it into KWord. Furthermore, GTK and Gnome applications all copy, cut, and paste seamlessly with KDE applications.

Dolphin file manager, plasma’s Folder View widget, and any other KDE application that can manage files, all share the same copy/cut/paste features. If you want to copy a file from one folder to another, click Edit in the menu and then click Copy. To complete the operation, navigate to the destination folder, click Edit, and click Paste. The same technique works for moving files using the “Cut” feature.

KDE accepts the same universal shortcuts that nearly all desktop environments use: Ctrl+C for copying, Ctrl+X for cutting, and Ctrl+V for pasting. These work across all applications, with the exception of Konsole, which uses those shortcuts for standard command-line tasks. Instead Konsole uses Ctrl+Shift+C and Ctrl+Shift+V for copy and paste.

Another quick way to copy and paste in Konsole is to select text in the window and then press in on the mouse wheel (middle click). It will automatically paste whatever you have selected. This will also save that text in the clipboard so that you can paste it into other applications using a middle click.

2. Advanced

Klipper is a KDE tool that saves clipboard history. To start Klipper, press Alt+F2 and type “Klipper” (without the quote). It will load the program directly to your system tray, display an icon that looks like a clipboard with a piece of paper in front of it.

You can activate the Klipper menu with either a left or a right click (or by pressing Ctrl+Alt+V). The top portion of the menu will show the klipper history, which shows 10 entries by default. The last 10 pieces of text that you have copied into your clipboard will be shown. To paste any one of them, click on the one you want and then paste using your normal method (i.e. Ctrl+V).

Clipboard Actions

With Clipboard Actions enabled, Klipper will attempt to detect what you want to do with selected or copied text. For example, if you select a URL, Klipper will recognize it as a web address and offer you a menu of options, the first of which will most likely be to open your default web browser.

To toggle Clipboard Actions, press Ctrl+Alt+X. Moreover, if you have a particular string of text in your clipboard that responds to Clipboard Actions, you can press Ctrl+Alt+R at any time to manually

File Creation

When working with lots of text data, it is sometimes helpful to create text files to store the information you gather. For example, a student writing a paper might need to collect several citations. The normal procedure to create a text file for a quote or excerpt to be cited would be to copy the text in a web browser, create a new file in a folder, name the file, open the file, paste the text, and finally save the new file.

KDE offers a shorter solution. All you have to do is copy the text and then paste it directly into Dolphin. As soon as you attempt to paste the text, Dolphin will popup a window asking you to name the clipboard contents you are pasting. Give it a name, and a text file by that name will be automatically created.

As a writer, I know I would be lost without a usable desktop clipboard. Many people use the feature every day without even thinking about it. Klipper adds another dimension to the clipboard, helping users to be more efficient and better organized.

Related Posts:

• The Quick Way To Cut And Paste In Mac
• How to Disable Mouse Middle Click to Paste Feature in Linux
• Clipper: A Powerful Clipboard Manager For Android
• Five Free Clipboard Managers for Windows

1. Clipomatic

Clipomatic is a simple Clipboard Manager that can hold different sets of items in your system, even when you turn it off. After installing it, you will see an icon in your system tray.

The default is ten items, but you can go to the Settings and increase the amount of items that it holds up until 64 items.

This is only text-based items.  Clipomatic doesn’t support images. However, it’s very useful if you are trying to save and retain code that you don’t want to continuously enter.

As stated above, you are able to have different sets of data that you can recall at any time. It’s a good way to group different sets of data.

Clipomatic is good if you want a simple Clipboard Manager that can copy+paste text. However, if you want to retain images and HTML code, then this isn’t the Clipboard Manager for you.

2. PasteCopy.NET

PasteCopy.NET adds a ton of functionality to a Clipboard Manager. It can hold text, images, RTF, CSV, and HTML data that can be stored as long as you want. The Clipboard Manager is multilingual, and supports data in different languages. Additionally, it provides a way for you to covert to/from .RTF, HTML, and text.

Another great option is the capability of exporting out of the program, if need be. Currently, the only file type that it exports to is .RTF. You are able to add categories, which are groupings of data, that you can name whatever you want. When you copy an item, PasteCopy provides a way for you to view a preview of the item. This is useful if you have many items copied and want to see what each one is. You are also capable of customizing the behavior of PasteCopy.NET by changing how you convert the files, data preview, and how it works with Windows.

One thing that they need to think about modifying in the future is the lack of right-click capability. For instance, if I want to rename the Category name, I have to click on the Category, and then go up to Edit->Edit Item. This can be frustrating to some people.

Overall, PasteCopy.NET is a neat program that definitely enhances the Clipboard Manager. Nevertheless, it needs to think about simple functionality like right-clicking.

3. Clipboard Magic

Clipboard Magic is a text-based, multilingual Clipboard Manager. It looks like a Notepad program that has clipboard capabilities. You are able to import as much as you want with no restrictions. You are able to customize Clipboard Magic by modifying the the look and behavior of the it.

You are able to organize your clips in lists. One of the neat things about the program is that you are able to append an existing list to the current one you are creating. Furthermore, you are able to import/export text files in the program.

A flaw with Clipboard Magic is that it doesn’t provide a way to format the list. Everything is free hand, which can be a problem. Also, you have to manually cut+paste into the program. It doesn’t automatically do it for you. However, it allows you to drag and drop text into the program.

4. Ditto

Ditto is a Clipboard Manager that supports many different types of files. It is a single interface that truncates copied items into rows. You are only able to import files that were created in the system. When you hit copy+paste, it automatically saves in the program. As with the previous Clipboard Managers, Ditto allows you to create groupings of clips.

One great thing about Ditto is that you are able to share clips between different systems. You just need to add the system information in the Friends tab.

Ditto even provides statistics that helps you understand how you are using the Clipboard Manager.

Ditto is no doubt a robust Clipboard Manager. It will be the best if it includes the import/export functionality found in other Clipboard Managers.

5. M8 FreeClip Board

M8 FreeClip Board is a simple Clipboard Manager. You are able to copy+paste text and images in the program. Unlike the other Clipboard Managers, M8 FreeClip Board can only hold up to 25 items. One of the best features of the Clipboard Manager is its editor. It organizes the clips in truncated rows. When you want to view a specific clip, you just hover over it with your mouse, and a preview window will display the clip.

You are also able to select specific programs to copy clips from. There is an option to enter program you do not want to capture clips from. It’s like a blacklist.

You can pick and choose buttons that will extend the functionality of the Clipboard Manager. You are able to add the capability of filling out forms, viewing clips on an Internet browser, emailing clips, and various other buttons.

To get the ability to add lists, contain more clips, and other functionality that is lacking in this Clipboard Manager, you need to upgrade. The free version provides the basics of a Clipboard Manager that you need, so it should be fine, unless you want more features.

Which is your favorite Windows Clipboard Manager?

Image credit: parpiflickr

Related Posts:

• How to Disable Mouse Middle Click to Paste Feature in Linux
• Clipper: A Powerful Clipboard Manager For Android
• How to Use KDE’s Clipboard and Klipper App
• How To Perform Copy/Paste Function In iPhone

Yes, iPhone/iPod Touch does not come with Copy/Paste function and despite countless pleas to Apple to implement this feature, there is still no news that this function is going to be included in the future firmware upgrade.

Nevertheless, if you are willing to jailbreak your iPhone/iPod Touch and void the guarantee, you still can get the Copy/Paste to work. For those who are yearning for the Copy/Paste function, here is how you can get it working on your iPhone.

1. Jailbreak your iPhone

2. On the home screen, you should see a Cydia icon.Tap on it to run the installer application.

3. On the Cydia main screen, navigate to Sections-> Keyboards Extension. You will find hClipboard. Tap and install it.

4. Once you have finished the installation, exit Cydia and go to Settings. Navigate to General ->Keyboard->International Keyboards. You will see the hClipboard function. Slide the button to turn it on.

5. Now, go to any text application (such as Note). On the keyboard, you should see a globe button. Tapping on this globe button will turn the keyboard to the Copy/Paste mode.

Now type some text on the Note. Go to the Copy/Paste mode. Tap on the first icon (on the right) to copy all the text. To copy only a portion of the text, first place the cursor on the starting. Tap the second icon. You should see a sentence “Select from here…”. Next, move the cursor to the end of the selected text. Tap the second icon again. The selected text should now be copied to the clipboard.

To paste the text, simply tap the entry on the copy/paste keyboard. To delete, simple swipe the clipboard entry to the right.

You can also save the copied text as a template so you can use it over and over again, without having to retype it.

That’s it. Enjoy the Copy/Paste function in your iPhone/iPod Touch.

Note: Another application that gives you the Copy/Paste function is Clippy. You can find it in the Cydia installer.

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WebNotes Is:

A web application that allows you make live sticky notes with your preferred annotated text on the side. You’re able to highlight any set of text on any webpage and then simply share your notes with anyone you’d like to via email or link sharing. I’m glad that the creators of WebNotes thought of this idea, because now anyone on the web is able to properly save and index their notes with a few taps on the mouse. You can throw out the all-outdated copy and paste format imprisoning you to use Ctrl C and V every 5 seconds or so.

How to Utilize WebNotes:

WebNotes is really marketed and aimed at people that conduct a lot of research on the Web. Its uses don’t have to be restricted to professional or student use, it can be utilized by anyone with a PC. With this application you can easily annotate, organize, and share your notes, comments, or web content. All you have to do is install the WebNotes toolbar that contains all the necessary tools. Once the tool bar has been installed then you’re set to start annotating the web.

You can highlight any set of text and later view it in your WebNotes account. The notes you take and highlight will always be archived in you’re my WebNotes area and they will be accompanied by the specific URL where you took the notes from.

Example:

Highlight any part of any text within a site.

Later quickly view all of your notes in you’re my WebNotes section.

When you’ve finished highlighting the text and notes you desire, you can click on the Share this page button, and this will allow you to send your notes via email or direct link to the persons of your choice.

The End of Our WebNotes Journey:

From what I’ve gathered WebNotes is an easy and simple to use web application that allows the facilitation of jotting down quick notes that can be saved and viewed later. This gives you the ability to organize your work properly while making your life on the web a bit easier all together.

One thing I wasn’t able to come to very good terms with was the installation of the tool bar, although easy enough as it is to install it, you don’t always want to have to install a complete tool bar on top of the Google or Yahoo tool bar already installed within my browser. Maybe WebNotes could possibly develop a much more appealing tool bar with the use of Flash that pops up when you click a small button located somewhere on your screen.

Invites

With all of this being said, I have around 10 WebNotes Beta invites. If you want to get one, shout it out in the comments, along with your email address.

Related Posts:

• How to Disable Mouse Middle Click to Paste Feature in Linux
• Clipper: A Powerful Clipboard Manager For Android
• How to Use KDE’s Clipboard and Klipper App
• Five Free Clipboard Managers for Windows